Tip From the Archives

Lead Shoulder

Problem

You tend to slice the ball when you are trying to get a little extra distance on your tee shot.

Cure

Check to see if your lead shoulder is dropping as you start your backswing. This can cause a slice. If you are dropping your shoulder, it would be helpful if you move the ball back a little in your stance. This is because the more the ball is set forward in your stance, the lower your lead side will drop as you take the club back. This will cause your swing to become too steep and an out to in swing path, causing a slice.

Therapy

Practice your swing holding a long iron across your shoulders, with the shaft of the club pointing towards the target. As you reach the top of your swing, the butt of the club should be pointing directly at the ball. If it is pointing inside of the ball then you know you are dropping your lead shoulder during takeaway, causing your slice. Raise your lead shoulder at set up if you need to but practice your backswing until you can get the end of the shaft to point towards the ball several times. Once you can, take your driver and practice your swing while you have this correct backswing motion fresh in your mind.

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